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Food supply chain resilience and the COVID‐19 pandemic: What have we learned?

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  • Jill E. Hobbs

Abstract

A year into the COVID‐19 pandemic, this paper reflects on the changes that occurred in agrifood supply chains in Canada and the United States. The sudden shift in food consumption patterns from food service to food retail required realignment of food supply chains. For the most part, food supply chains have performed remarkably well during the pandemic. Cross‐border food supply chains have continued to function effectively. The most significant disruptions emerged from workforce outbreaks of COVID‐19 in the meat processing sector and in fruit and vegetable production. The paper discusses supply chain resilience and argues that agrifood supply chains are characterized by several important differences that need to be taken into consideration when evaluating resilience. Economies of scale and scope offer economic efficiency advantages in normal times, while investments in adaptability and flexibility can enhance resilience for abnormal times. Potential long‐run changes within supply chains include increased automation and digitalization in food supply chains, while investments in infrastructure for online delivery services have permanently altered the food retailing landscape. Un an après le début de la pandémie du COVID‐19, ce document se penche sur les changements survenus dans les chaînes d'approvisionnement agroalimentaire au Canada et aux États‐Unis. Le changement soudain des modes de consommation alimentaire de la restauration à la vente au détail a nécessité un réalignement des chaînes d'approvisionnement alimentaire. Pour la plupart, les chaînes d'approvisionnement alimentaire se sont remarquablement bien comportées pendant la pandémie. Les chaînes d'approvisionnement alimentaire transfrontalières ont continué de fonctionner efficacement. Les perturbations les plus importantes sont apparues à la suite d'épidémies de COVID‐19 sur le marché du travail dans le secteur de la transformation de la viande et dans la production de fruits et légumes. Le document discute de la résilience de la chaîne d'approvisionnement et soutient que les chaînes d'approvisionnement agroalimentaire sont caractérisées par plusieurs différences importantes qui doivent être prises en considération lors de l'évaluation de la résilience. Les économies d'échelle et de gamme offrent des avantages en termes d'efficacité économique en temps normal, tandis que les investissements dans l'adaptabilité et la flexibilité peuvent améliorer la résilience en période anormale. Les changements potentiels à long terme au sein des chaînes d'approvisionnement comprennent une automatisation et une numérisation accrues des chaînes d'approvisionnement alimentaire, tandis que les investissements dans l'infrastructure des services de livraison en ligne ont modifié de manière permanente le paysage de la vente au détail de produits alimentaires.

Suggested Citation

  • Jill E. Hobbs, 2021. "Food supply chain resilience and the COVID‐19 pandemic: What have we learned?," Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society/Societe canadienne d'agroeconomie, vol. 69(2), pages 189-196, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:canjag:v:69:y:2021:i:2:p:189-196
    DOI: 10.1111/cjag.12279
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dawn Thilmany & Elizabeth Canales & Sarah A. Low & Kathryn Boys, 2021. "Local Food Supply Chain Dynamics and Resilience during COVID‐19," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 43(1), pages 86-104, March.
    2. Jayson L. Lusk & Glynn T. Tonsor & Lee L. Schulz, 2021. "Beef and Pork Marketing Margins and Price Spreads during COVID‐19," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 43(1), pages 4-23, March.
    3. Jeff Luckstead & Rodolfo M. Nayga & Heather A. Snell, 2021. "Labor Issues in the Food Supply Chain Amid the COVID‐19 Pandemic," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 43(1), pages 382-400, March.
    4. Alan P. Ker & Ryan Cardwell, 2020. "Introduction to the special issue on COVID‐19 and the Canadian agriculture and food sectors: Thoughts from the pandemic onset," Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society/Societe canadienne d'agroeconomie, vol. 68(2), pages 139-142, June.
    5. Jill E. Hobbs, 2020. "Food supply chains during the COVID‐19 pandemic," Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society/Societe canadienne d'agroeconomie, vol. 68(2), pages 171-176, June.
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